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Core outcome measurement set for clinical trials in dengue: an international Delphi consensus study (DEN-CORE)

  • DEN-CORE Study Group
  • Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
  • Nuffield Department of Medicine
  • I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University
  • Medical University of Vienna
  • Princess Marina Hospital
  • The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
  • SUNY Upstate Medical University
  • European Medicines Agency
  • Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices
  • Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
  • Centro de Atención y Diagnóstico de Enfermedades Infecciosas
  • Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative South-East Asia
  • World Health Organization
  • the Institute of Infectious Diseases Emílio Ribas in Sao Paulo
  • NUS
  • Mahidol University
  • Novartis Pharma (China)
  • National Centre for Infectious Diseases
  • Tan Tock Seng Hospital
  • National University of Singapore
  • Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
  • Novartis Pharma AG
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • University of Malaya
  • Duke-NUS Medical School
  • Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
  • University College London
  • Federal University of Ceará
  • Ministry of Health
  • Rapidly Emerging Antiviral Drug Discovery Initiative
  • Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative
  • Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas (INI)
  • Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative
  • Federal University of Minas Gerais
  • Hospital for Tropical Diseases
  • Westmead Hospital
  • Infectious Diseases Data Observatory
  • Heidelberg University Hospital
  • Colorado School of Public Health
  • University of Sri Jayewardenepura
  • Monash University
  • Apollo Hospitals Group
  • UNSW
  • the University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research
  • Oxford University Clinical Academic Graduate School
  • Institut Pasteur de Dakar
  • King's College London

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Dengue, caused by any one of four distinct virus serotypes, is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease worldwide. It is a primary arboviral infection with increasing global incidence, driven by climate change, urbanisation, and the expanding range of Aedes mosquito vectors. Despite growing research interest, outcome and measurement instrument heterogeneity in dengue clinical trials remains high, limiting comparability and evidence synthesis. This project aimed to develop a globally relevant Core Outcome Measurement Set (COMS) for use in dengue clinical trials through international consensus. This consensus study followed core outcome measures in effectiveness trials and Core Outcome Set-Standards for Development (COS-STAD) guidelines and was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 focused on developing a Core Outcome Set (COS) through four steps: (1) a systematic literature review; (2) qualitative interviews with people with lived experience of dengue; (3) review by the management group and steering committee; (4) a two-round modified Delphi survey and structured online consensus meetings to finalise the COS for hospitalised and early stages of dengue disease. Input from critical care experts informed recommendations for the intensive care unit (ICU) and high dependency unit COS. Phase 2 consisted of a further two steps: (1) targeted review of outcome measurement instruments; and (2) a hybrid international consensus workshop to finalise the COMS. The agreed COMS for hospitalised dengue included seven outcomes; the early stage dengue COS included these outcomes plus four more. For critical care trials, use of existing ICU-specific COS was recommended. Unified definitions were developed for nine clinician-reported outcomes. The DEN-CORE COMS provides a consensus-based framework for harmonising outcome selection and measurement in dengue trials, improving comparability and supporting policy and clinical decision making.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e231-e244
JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases
Volume26
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
  2. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  3. SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action

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